EC should get first share of Dedisa power

I welcome the fact that the Dedisa power plant, located at the Coega IDZ in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, could come online as early as the third quarter of 2015. The DA believes that reliable infrastructure which includes power, water, roads and communication networks are needed for our economy to grow and for jobs to be created.

Details about Dedisa emerged in response to my question for oral reply in the legislature last month. The plant has the potential to generate 342 megawatts which is half of Port Elizabeth’s power supply.

The Eastern Cape should get first call on this additional power. It should not just be syphoned off into the national grid and disappear into a dark hole. Our economy and unemployment rate is one of the highest in the country and this source of power will help to alleviate some of the consequences of Eskom’s failure.

It is critical for the province’s economy that this power plant comes online as soon as possible and that the delays with the Medupi and Kusile plants are not repeated.

The people of this province want the hope that there is some light at the end of a very dark tunnel. If the Eastern Cape is the primary beneficiary of this new source of power it will help to lift our flagging economy.